This is a reminder that the recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish will close in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico on June 1, 2016,12:01 a.m., local time. The recreational seasons for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish close annually from June 1 through July 31.

NOAA Fisheries will review the recreational landings for both species and compare them against their respective annual catch targets to determine if either recreational season will be re-opened on August 1, 2016, at 12:01 a.m., local time, as scheduled.

During the closure:

Recreational harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited.
Recreational harvest or possession of gray triggerfish is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a valid Gulf of Mexico reef fish charter/headboat permit.

This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack and gray triggerfish fishery. The greater amberjack and gray triggerfish populations are considered overfished (the population is too low), but are no longer undergoing overfishing (rate of removal is too high).

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register.